Siblings serve up premier pickleball site

DANBURY TWP. — With their new business — The BackYard — a pickleball & social club — four siblings created a new frontier where not just players but anyone can meet up, compete and enjoy each other's company. Co-owners Bobbie Bero, Jodie Gulas, Bill Stephenson and Jill Stephenson recently debuted what they collectively consider as the region's No. 1 pickleball-first facility, at 355 S. Bridge Road, in the Lakeside-Marblehead area. "We built it with the idea that it will be a place where the community can gather, be active and be social, truly a community hub of different activities," said Bero, noting she and her siblings all grew up just outside Lakeside Chautauqua and graduated from Danbury High School. Roughly two years ago, Bero first approached her brother and two sisters about this idea. She began playing in Michigan and noticed a lack of pickleball facilities, especially those indoor, across northern Ohio between Cleveland and Toledo. Pickleball shares similarities to tennis, badminton and ping-pong. With its regulation-sized, cushioned-concrete courts, the BackYard offers low impact on a player's joints, which makes it optimal for people of all ages to compete, Bero said. While anyone can play the sport, people between the ages of 40 and 85 who regularly play saw improvements in cholesterol, blood pressure and cardiorespiratory fitness, according to a study published by the American Council on Exercise. "It's a wonderful sport for people of any age and ability to get active and meet new people," Bero said. "I really believe people could benefit from something like this here because, before us, there wasn't a dedicated indoor pickleball place." After buying into Bero's proposal, the siblings pursued building The BackYard at a site formerly known as Buckeye Marine Service, which Bill previously owned. What resulted: In late August, the 20,000-square-foot facility debuted, offering six courts in a climate-controlled space. People can take part in pickleball there in a variety of ways, which include: • Coming in at certain times and playing on an open court • Renting space to play with others • Competing in leagues, which are forthcoming • Signing up for tournaments • Taking a lesson • Playing for charitable causes "It's a great, welcoming space," said Gulas, noting all skill levels can play at the BackYard. A membership is not required. In fact, this weekend, the BackYard is hosting its first tournament — known as Merry Merchants Dink-a-Difference — inviting local businesses and their employees to compete. All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County. "We really want to get our community involved here," Bero said. "We hope to have future events here benefiting other causes." All four siblings underscored how the end product exceeded their expectations. "It's a beautiful building, and it really does meet the needs for everyone who comes in and plays," Jill said. Beyond pickleball, the facility also offers two golf simulators, a bar area with a self-service tap station, a cafe serving concession-style food and other common spaces both inside and outside to come. Come summertime, all four siblings want to host more non-pickleball events. They envision guests gathering outside the facility to play badminton, croquet, cornhole and hang around firepits. And, based on the popularity of their place thus far, they're already considering potential expansion by building more pickleball courts outside. Right now, the facility operates from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. People can visit thebackyardpickleball.com for more information. "You will not find a better pickleball facility within an hour's drive of here," Bero said. "We have a wonderful facility that is perfect for community engagement. Whether you want to play pickleball or play cards or compete in a puzzle competition or watch sports, this is the most social place to do all that. It's just a great way to connect with people." What's in a name? Regarding the name The BackYard — a pickleball & social club: • The BackYard — It refers to the siblings feeling like kids again, playing in the backyard, when competing in pickleball. There's no reason for the capital Y. • Pickleball — It refers to this site serving as a pickleball-first facility. • Social club — It refers to the welcoming environment this business has created where people can gather and socialize with one another.